FG extends phase 2 of covid 19 lockdown.
– Steve Ovirih.
The Federal Government has commenced the extension of the phase 2 of the Covid 19 lockdown for another 4 weeks. This extension was made public yesterday, Monday in Abuja at the Federal Government’s COVID 19 media briefing anchored by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid 19 and Secretary of the Government of the Federation, (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha.
Mr. Mustapha reeling out the new measures of the phase 2 of the lockdown noted that the government is aware of the havoc of the lockdown on the economy, hence its decision to allow for a relief in the phase 2 that can trigger the buoying of commerce in the interest of the nation’s GDP. He however noted that there is the need for people to adhere strictly to the safety protocols as the coronavirus pandemic is still ravaging and the level of the community spread of the virus is worrisome and alarming.
In the easing of the lockdown as factored into the extension of the phase 2 which was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, Boss Mustapha said the inter state lockdown will now be eased as the ban on interstate movement has been lifted, stressing however that there will be a ban on interstate movement within the curfew hours. He said the curfew regime of 10 pm to 4 am is still in place and withing this hours no interstate movement will be allowed across the country.
The Presidential Task Force on Covid 19 has also allowed the gradual opening of schools with the resumption strictly of students in the final classes of primary, post basic primary and the certificate class in secondary school, whose WAEC exams have been put on hold since May. Hence , Primary six students, JSS 3 and SS 3 students will be resuming school in July , adding that efforts must be sustained to ensure that the resuming students keep to social distancing , wearing of masks and that schools provide a hygienic environment for teaching and learning exercise.
The Federal Government says the aviation industry which has been worst hit by the advent of the coronavirus pandemic will commence local flight , stressing that while the commencement of local flights were speculated before now, the Government had to delay for further consultation and observation to be made on the safety of passengers who will be on board across the country.
Banking activities will continue within the normal hours with each bank ensuring that their customers comply fully with the wearing of nose marks before they gain entry into the banking halls. In the same vein working activities are to resume in government offices while workers are to ensure there is full compliance with all the safety measures.
The extension of the second phase of the lockdown measures will be reviewed on July 29th , 2020.
Government charges that every Nigerian has it as a responsibility to maintain social distance, adhere to the wearing of masks and the continued use of the hand sanitizer.
